Expulsion from Paradise, from "The Small Passion" (copy)

Expulsion from Paradise, from "The Small Passion" (copy) by Albrecht Dürer, is a powerful example of Northern Renaissance printmaking. Created as a woodcut sometime between 1485 and 1600, this piece belongs to the tradition of Dürer's highly influential "Small Passion" series. While this specific impression is designated as a copy, it captures the intense narrative style and technical precision characteristic of the master's original designs. The woodcut medium allowed for wide dissemination of religious narratives across Europe during the 16th century, making these complex theological subjects accessible to a broad audience.

The subject depicts the pivotal moment of Adam and Eve's banishment from Eden. Following the Original Sin, the Expulsion from Paradise centers on the dramatic contrast between the celestial existence they are leaving and the harsh world they enter. The piece features striking depictions of the foundational male nudes and female nudes of Christian iconography, showing Adam's profound despair and Eve’s heavy regret as an angelic figure forcibly guides them out. Dürer’s originals were renowned for combining classical proportions derived from Italian art with the expressive gravity required for biblical events. This work maintains that focus, emphasizing the emotional weight of their forced departure and the tragic consequence of human fallibility.

The widespread production of prints like this ensured that Dürer’s compositions reached a vast audience, spurring numerous copies and imitations throughout the period specified. This widespread reproduction speaks directly to the lasting cultural impact of his artistic vision. This particular work, a significant historical print illustrating Dürer’s enduring influence, is maintained within the expansive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, providing crucial insight into the dissemination of German Renaissance artistry.